The Big Hunt

Now that I am unemployed and have a little time on my hands, I decided I should go hang with my Momma. What is there to do in Cascade this time of year? Well, it is time to go mushroom hunting. I have never been and only tried my first Morel last year when Mom brought some down. They are ugly as hell, but to my surprise, are pretty tasty. Austin and I got up at the butt crack of dawn to get chores done so when can get up the hill at a decent time. We picked up Mom and off we went. I had told Mom to call all her resources and find us a good place. I don't think any calls were made. Three miles or so after the turn off, she informed me that the place we want to go is about 12 miles up the road. Would have been nice if she would have told me that when we first turned! She said no problem, just look for the smokey the bear sign and that is where we need to turn. About 30 minutes later, I told her we have gone WAY over 12 miles. Just a little further she said. "Oh, we've hit the snow! We've gone too far" Really mom? They must've move smokey. We never did find him. We did try a little dirt road on the way back down the mountain and can you believe it? I found a mushroom!! I screamed and it echoed through the forest for miles. I was so thrilled. We are on our way to an fantastic find! There has to be more right here! That was the only one we found. Now, I might be new at this, but I do believe you actually have to get out of the car and walk into the forest to find mushrooms. I mean, it has to take a little hunting. Right? That is definately not Karen's plan. I swear she would get out of the car, Walk 100 feet and declare that this is not the area we should be in. We spent 3/4 of the day in the car. Awesome! Before we left home, stopped at the Valley Club. I learned more about mushroom hunting in 5 minutes in the bar than I had learned in six hours in the car with Mom. "Did you flick it before you picked it?" " Were you on the North side of the mountain?" "Did you try up by Snow Bank?" We are going to try again tomorrow. We'll see if I was paying attention in the bar. Oh, and of course, still love Karen! Always good for some laughs. She did put a little effort into it and she is willing to take my smart ass again tomorrow